Once Upon a Time in the North

The Book of Dust is a mesmerising episode from the universe of His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust, giving us an extraordinary insight into this world and its characters. Lyra discovers the story of Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrnison's first meeting, which brings them together in a war between the residents of the town and the arctic bears.

Format: Hardback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 20 September 2018
Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

When Lyra is studying at Oxford University, she stumbles upon the tale of Lee Scoresby and Iorek Byrnison's first meeting, many years ago. Alongside a wealth of evidence of the adventure that brought them together, she discovers that when a young Texan balloonist named Lee landed on Earth in the harbour of an Arctic town in the North, little did he know that he was about to be caught in a war between the town's residents and the enormous arctic bears that also called it home. And when Lee meets one of these bears, Iorek, for the first time, they form a friendship that will last a lifetime, as the tensions in the town threaten to erupt into violence.

As Lyra delves deeper into the story, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies that threaten to tear the town apart. She learns that the town's residents have been using a powerful substance called Dust to control the minds of the bears, making them do their bidding. But when Lyra discovers the truth, she is faced with a difficult decision: to expose the corruption and risk losing Iorek's friendship, or to keep quiet and let the town continue to thrive on the backs of the helpless bears.

Lyra's journey takes her through a world of magic, mystery, and danger, as she battles against powerful forces and discovers the true nature of Dust and the power it holds. She is aided by a cast of characters, including the enigmatic Mrs. Coulter, the wise Master Linh, and the brave Billy Costa, who all play crucial roles in the unfolding story.

In the end, Lyra must make a sacrifice that will change the course of history forever. She risks everything to save the town and the bears, and in doing so, she discovers the true meaning of courage, loyalty, and love.

This episode is a must-read for fans of His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust, as it provides an extraordinary insight into this world and its characters. Philip Pullman's writing is as masterful as ever, and the illustrations by Chris Riddell are beautiful and evocative.

So, grab a copy of the books and immerse yourself in this incredible story, one that will leave you breathless and longing for more.

Weight: 190g
Dimension: 188 x 117 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780857535665